Chocolate Mint Cookies Green

My youngest daughter declared these the perfect Grinch cookies last December, though she has never actually seen the movie. The vibrant green frosting against the dark chocolate creates such a festive contrast that people actually gasp when I bring them to parties.

Last year I accidentally made the frosting too bright, like nuclear green, and my teenagers actually posted photos on Instagram. Now they demand I make them that exact shade every time because apparently ugly cookies are more shareable.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter creates the perfect creamed texture with sugar, so do not rush this step or your cookies will not spread properly
• Granulated and brown sugar: The combination gives you crispy edges and chewy centers, which is the texture balance every chocolate cookie should have
• Peppermint extract: A little goes a long way, so measure carefully because too much will taste like toothpaste instead of dessert
• Cocoa powder: Sift it first to avoid lumps in your dough, and use unsweetened for the deepest chocolate flavor possible
• Semi sweet chocolate chips: These add pockets of melted chocolate throughout, and I promise nobody will complain about extra chocolate in their cookie
• Powdered sugar: Sifting is not optional here because lumpy frosting will ruin your beautiful green finish

Instructions

Prepare your workspace:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper because these sticky chocolate cookies need that nonstick surface.

Cream the butter and sugars:

Beat the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture looks pale and fluffy, which usually takes about 3 minutes of serious mixing.

Add the wet ingredients:

Beat in your eggs one at a time, then add both extracts until everything is thoroughly combined.

Mix the dry ingredients:

Whisk together your flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl so you do not overdevelop the gluten later.

Combine everything:

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until no flour streaks remain, then fold in those chocolate chips.

Scoop and bake:

Drop tablespoon sized dough balls onto your prepared sheets with 2 inches of space between each one, then bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges look set.

Cool completely:

Let the cookies rest on the hot baking sheets for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack because they need that time to finish cooking.

Make the frosting:

Beat the butter until creamy, gradually mix in powdered sugar, then add milk and peppermint extract until smooth.

Color and frost:

Add green food coloring drop by drop until you reach your desired shade, then spread or pipe onto completely cooled cookies.

Save

My neighbor texted me at 10 PM after I dropped off a plate, asking if there was coffee in these because she could not stop eating them. The combination of mint and chocolate creates that addictive quality where suddenly half the plate has disappeared.

Making These Ahead

You can freeze the baked unfrosted cookies for up to a month, then thaw and frost when you need them. The frosting actually keeps well in the refrigerator for several days if you store it in an airtight container.

Getting That Perfect Green

Gel food coloring creates more vibrant colors than liquid, and you need less of it to achieve that professional looking shade. Start with two drops and add more until you reach the intensity you want.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies work beautifully for holiday cookie exchanges because they look so impressive on a platter. The contrast between dark chocolate and bright green makes them photograph well too, which everyone knows is half the battle with social media desserts.

• Serve alongside hot cocoa for the ultimate winter dessert experience
• Crush some frosted cookies over vanilla ice cream for a mint chocolate chip sundae
• Package them in clear bags tied with green ribbon for effortless party favors

Save

These have become my go-to for school bake sales because the green frosting makes them fly off the table faster than anything else I make.

Recipe FAQs

→ What gives the cookies their mint flavor?

Mint flavor comes from peppermint extract added to both the cookie dough and the frosting, providing a refreshing and balanced taste.

→ Can I substitute the all-purpose flour?

Yes, gluten-free all-purpose flour can replace regular flour to accommodate dietary needs without compromising texture.

→ How long should the cookies cool before frosting?

Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack so the frosting adheres properly and does not melt.

→ What causes the green color in the frosting?

Green food coloring is added to the mint frosting to achieve a vibrant, festive appearance.

→ Are chocolate chips necessary in the cookies?

Chocolate chips add bursts of semi-sweet chocolate, enhancing richness, but can be omitted or substituted if preferred.

→ How can I make the cookies more festive?

Decorate the frosted cookies with chocolate shavings or colorful sprinkles for extra visual appeal and texture.